Smell Gas? Do This First
If you smell natural gas, leave right away. New Mexico Gas Company (NMGC) says to get everyone out of the building, then call its 24/7 hotline at 1-888-664-2726 or 911. Do not try to find or stop the leak, and do not go back in until NMGC gives the all-clear.
NMGC also warns not to rely on smell alone, since colds, allergies, and nasal fatigue can dull it. A plug-in gas detector does not depend on your nose. If you see scorch marks or soot around a gas heater, or a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, go outside and call 911.
If the smell is gone and the utility has made things safe, we can handle the repair. Our emergency plumbing team is available 24/7.
Quick Checks Before You Call
Work through this list in order. It takes about ten minutes.
- Check one faucet or all of them. If only one tap is cold, the problem is probably that fixture, not the heater.
- Check the breaker (electric heaters). After a storm or power outage, a tripped breaker is the most common cause.
- Check the gas shutoff and pilot (gas heaters). Make sure the gas valve is open, and look at whether the pilot or display light is on.
- Check the temperature setting. A dial knocked to low can feel like no hot water.
- Listen and look. Popping or rumbling suggests sediment. Water on the floor means shut off the water supply to the heater and call a plumber.
- Check for freezing. After a hard freeze, weak or no flow can mean a frozen pipe. This matters most in the East Mountains and in older homes with exposed lines.
| What you notice | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Completely cold, electric heater | Tripped breaker or high-limit switch |
| Warm, then cold fast | Failed lower element or heavy sediment |
| Cold, gas heater, pilot out | Pilot, thermocouple, or gas valve |
| Rumbling or popping | Scale at the bottom of the tank |
| Tankless shows an error | Scale, power, gas supply, or venting |
Why an Electric Water Heater Stops Heating
Sears Home Services lists the usual suspects: a tripped breaker, a tripped high-temperature limit switch, a bad thermostat, or a failed heating element. Always turn off the power at the breaker before you open any access panel.
The high-limit switch has a red reset button on the upper thermostat. Sears says to press it after cutting power, then restore power. If it trips again, a shorted element or defective thermostat is likely causing the overheating, and that needs a technician.
The symptoms point to the failed part. Cold water throughout usually means the upper element. A short burst of hot water followed by cold usually means the lower element. If you replace an element, refill the tank before turning the power back on, since a dry element can burn out.
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Why a Gas Water Heater Stops Heating
Gas heaters usually fail at the ignition system. The common culprits are a pilot that went out, a worn thermocouple or flame sensor, or a faulty gas control valve. A draft or a dirty burner can also keep a pilot from staying lit.
You can try one relight by following the instructions printed on the heater itself. If the pilot will not stay lit, or you smell gas at any point, stop. Repeated relighting does not fix a failed part.
The gas valve is not a DIY job. Angi lists gas valve replacement at about $350 on average and says it should be handled by a professional, since a faulty valve can make the heater unsafe. Our water heater repair service diagnoses the ignition system before replacing anything.
Why a Tankless Water Heater Goes Cold
Tankless units depend on a clean heat exchanger, power, gas supply, and clear venting. Errors and cold water often come from scale, a power interruption, a closed gas valve, or a blocked vent. Many units display an error code, so check the manual for your model.
Scale is the big one in Albuquerque. Navien recommends descaling at least once a year, with frequency depending on mineral content, temperature setting, and use. Its method circulates solution for at least 45 minutes and then flushes. Navien suggests hiring a professional, because a mistake can put your warranty at risk. Our water heater maintenance and flushing service covers this.
Why Albuquerque Heaters Quit Sooner
The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA) says its water runs from moderately hard to hard, depending on the source blend and your distribution zone. Heating water leaves minerals behind, and in a tank they settle at the bottom as scale. That scale insulates the water from the burner or element, so the heater works harder and fails sooner.
ABCWUA also notes that white flecks clogging your fixtures may be scale from the heater, and that many manufacturers recommend periodic flushing. A water softener slows scale for the heater, fixtures, and appliances. If you are on a private well in the East Mountains, test the water first, since ABCWUA’s numbers do not apply to wells.
Winter freezes add stress, especially in older homes and outbuildings. If a heater sits in an unheated garage or on an outside wall, ask how it is protected from freezing.
Repair or Replace: What It Costs
Angi puts the 2026 national average repair at about $616, based on thousands of projects. Angi lists a professional element repair at roughly $200 to $300 and a gas valve at about $350. Local prices vary, and quotes are free.
Age matters. Tank heaters typically last about 8 to 12 years. Many plumbers suggest replacing when a heater is past 10 years and the repair costs close to half of a new one. Replace sooner if the tank itself is leaking or the water runs rusty.
For reference, NerdWallet lists typical tank replacement at about $600 to $2,500 installed. New Mexico charges gross receipts tax instead of sales tax, and it can appear on invoices, so ask whether your quote includes it.
Replacing a heater also needs a permit. The City of Albuquerque says installing a water heater requires a plumbing/mechanical permit, and only a licensed contractor can do the work. Our water heater replacement service is handled by a New Mexico licensed team.
Mistakes to Avoid and What to Ask Your Plumber
Common mistakes:
- Relighting a gas pilot over and over after it keeps going out.
- Opening an electric heater’s panel without turning off the breaker.
- Resetting the limit switch repeatedly without fixing why it tripped.
- Ignoring popping or rumbling until sediment damages the element.
- Paying for a repair on a very old heater without comparing it to replacement.
Ask your plumber:
- What failed, and can you show me the part?
- What does the repair cost, and what would replacement cost?
- Does the quote include parts, labor, permit if needed, and gross receipts tax?
- Is the heater safe to run until the repair is done?
- Would flushing or a softener help prevent a repeat?
We serve homes across the metro, from the North Valley to the East Mountains. See our service areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my water heater suddenly stop making hot water?
The usual causes are a tripped breaker or limit switch on electric models, and a pilot or ignition failure on gas models. A failed element, thermostat, or thermocouple is also common. A plumber can find the exact cause quickly.
How do I reset my water heater?
On an electric heater, turn off the breaker, open the upper panel, and press the red reset button, then restore power. On a gas heater, follow the lighting instructions on the label. If it trips or goes out again, call a plumber.
How much does it cost to fix a water heater?
Angi lists a national average of about $616, with element repairs near $200 to $300 and gas valves near $350. Prices vary, and quotes are free.
Can hard water cause no hot water?
Yes, indirectly. Scale insulates the heating surface and can damage elements or a tankless heat exchanger over time. Regular flushing and a softener help.
Is it safe to relight a gas pilot myself?
Only if you follow the heater’s printed instructions and smell no gas. If the pilot will not stay lit, or you smell gas, stop and call a licensed plumber. In a gas emergency, call NMGC or 911.
No Hot Water in Albuquerque? Call J&J Plumbing LLC
Locally owned and licensed in New Mexico, with 24/7 emergency availability across Albuquerque.
